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Obama to Speak at ‘Let Freedom Ring’ Ceremony

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: U.S. President Barack Obama (C) speaks about the oil markets in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 17, 2012 in Washington, DC. Obama announced a plan to increase oversight and crack down on manipulation of the oil markets. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama. (Photo: Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will speak later this month at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.

The White House says the speech will be delivered during the “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony on the Lincoln Memorial steps on Aug. 28. No other details were released.

Obama’s speech will come 50 years to the day after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. led approximately 250,000 to the National Mall in a march for jobs and freedom. King also delivered his signature “I Have a Dream” speech from the memorial steps.

The March on Washington helped pressure Congress to pass the Civil Rights and Voting Rights acts in 1964 and 1965, respectively.

The Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act in June. Obama has called that ruling a setback.

The “Let Freedom Ring” ceremony is being organized by the King Center in Atlanta. Plans include an interfaith service and ringing of bells at 3 p.m. to mark the time King delivered his speech on Aug. 28, 1963.